Spinning top game



May 9, 1967 M. l. GLASS ETAL SPINNING TOP GAMF.

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed DeC.

[2: v5.22 far 5 MAFV/A/ 61,455

EDMPD S LAFSOM {/2 60/1 42? Z/C/T/S y 1967 M. GLASS ETAL 3,318,600

SPINNING TOI GAME Filed Dec. 9, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent 3,318,600 SPINNING TOP GAME Marvin I. Glass, Chicago, Edward S. Larson, Jr., Libertyvilie, and Gunars Licitis, Lombard, Ill., assignors to Marvin Glass & Associates, Chicago, 11]., a partnership Filed Dec. 9, 1964, Ser. No. 417,075 3 Claims. (Cl. 273115) The present invention relates to games and toys and is particularly directed to a game which involves the use of a spinning top and a game board upon which the top is propelled.

It is the primary object of the invention to provide a game of skill which utilizes a spinning top in conjunction with a game board. In particular, the invention provides a game board which is adapted to be held by a player and manipulated to direct the path of movement of the spinning top over the surface of the game board. A further object of the invention is to provide a game of the type described, wherein the top is automatically spun and projected onto the surface of the game board by means associated therewith and the game board is provided with a goal and obstacles intermediate the top propelling means and the goal. Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description of the selected embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of game apparatus illustrating the invention;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged plan view of the game apparatus seen in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line '3--3 in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of a portion of the apparatus seen in FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of another portion of the apparatus seen in FIGURE 3; and

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged perspective view of the spinning top used in the game.

As seen particularly in FIGURES l and 2, the selected embodiment of the invention comprises a three-dimensional game board 10 which is generally concave and oblong in shape and is provided with a handle portion 12. The game board includes a generally smooth circular area 14 immediately adjacent the handle portion, and a plurality of three-dimensional figures and objects are disposed around the circular area. At a portion of the board opposite the handle 12 there is the figure 16 of a man including a hat 18, and an inclined section 20 on the board leads upwardly from the central portion of the board to the nose of the man. Each of the objects or figures disposed around the generally smooth central area 14 on the board are raised with respect to the board surface and include defined obstacle or target areas numbered 1 through 6, inclusive.

The handle portion 12 includes means for receiving a spinning top 22 and for effecting rotation of the top and then propelling the rotating top onto the boards surface. It is the general object of the game to spin the top onto the surface of the board and cause the top to move into and out of the obstacle areas 1 through 6 and then up the incline 20 and into a recess 24 formed on the nose of the character illustrated on the board. As the top falls into the recess 24, it trips a latch mechanism 26 (FIGURE 3) which causes the hat 18 of the character to be propelled upwardly. It is contemplated that the score of the player will depend upon the number of the obstacles 1 through 6 which have been successfully encountered prior to causing the hat of the man to be propelled upwardly.

With reference also to FIGURES 3-5, it will be seen that the structure illustrating the preferred embodiment ice of the invention comprises -a game board or base member 28, which may be of molded plastic or other suitable material, and the board is preferably concave relative to its mid-portion in form in order to facilitate manipulation of the spinning top 22 by a player without having the top fall ofl? the board. Although the board 28 may be circular or any other desired shape, it is illustrated as a somewhat oblong member and the handle portion 12 is in the form of a generally elongated housing 30 which is fixed, as by rivets 32 or the like, to one end of the board. The housing 30 is generally cylindrical for easier gripping the player and also for receiving a battery 34 within the housing. The forward portion of the housing 30 includes an angularly bent metal strip 36 which receives a miniature motor 38 having its rotatable drive shaft 40 projecting upwardly in the direction of an opening 42 in the for-ward portion of housing 30. The drive shaft has fixed thereto a chuck or the like for receiving the spindle portion of a spinning top member. the spinning top includes a spindle portion mounting a disc on which is illustrated a mosquito.

The handle 12 includes a removable end cover section 44 (FIGURE 3) to provide for replacement of thebattery 34 and the latter is disposed in engagement with a metal strip or contact 46 on the inside of cover 44. The contact 46 locks into position with another metal strip 47 to thereby provide a portion of the electrical circuit for the motor. An additional metal strip or contact means 48 is provided in the housing 30, with the transverse portion of such contact normally spaced slightly from the positive end of the battery. The contact 48 is in the nature of a flat spring member which can be pressed against the battery terminal, and -a pair of wires 50, 52 lead from the motor to the contact members 47, 48 of the battery to provide a circuit for the motor in a conventional manner. The means for closing the electrical circuit to energize the motor 38 and thereby rotate the drive shaft 40, and also for ejecting the rotating top 22 from the handle, generally comprises a pivoted lever assembly 54 and a button 56. The button 56 is generally circular and seated within a circular recess 58 formed within the handle 12. The reduced shaft portion 64 of the button extends downwardly through an opening in the recess 58 into engagement with a projecting tab 78 on the lever assembly 54 for movement therewith. The lever assembly comprises a lever 66, a transverse rod 68 fixed to one end of the lever and suitably journaled at its opposite ends in a pair of circular bosses 70 formed in the housing, and a depending flap 72 is fixed to the rod 68 for rotation therewith. The forwardly extending portion of the lever 66 terminates in an upwardly extending end section 74, with the latter section disposed adjacent a chuck 76 fixed on the end of the motor drive shaft 40. The spring member 48 bears against flap 72 to normally urge the lever 66 into its uppermost position, as seen in FIGURE 3.

Consequently, as the button 56 is depressed, a shoulder portion on the lower end engages tab 78 and causes the lever 66 to move downwardly against the biasing action of spring 48 and thereby press the flap 72 against the metal contact 48 and urge the latter against the battery terminal, thereby closing the electrical circuit to effect rotation of the motor drive shaft 40. As the drive shaft 40 rotates, it causes the top 22 to spin and, when a desired speed has been obtained for the spinning top, the latter can be projected upwardly by release of the button 56, which causes the lever 66 to swing upwardly and strike its end portion 74, under the biasing action of spring 48, against the top 22 and raise it off the chuck 76. At the same time, of course, the flap 72 moves forwardly to release the contact 48 from the battery terminal and thus stop the motor.

As shown,

As seen particularly in FIGURES 3 and 4, the latch means 26 for releasably retaining the hat 18 in position on the board 28 comprises a flat spring member 80 which is fixed in position by rivets 82, or otherwise secured to the board within a housing 84 defined generally by the incline 20 and the raised head of the figure. The forward end of this fiat spring 80 has fixed thereto a button or propelling means 86 which extends upwardly into a position of engagement with the under-surface of the hat 18. Adjacent the intermediate portion of the fiat spring 80 is a pair of vertical members 88 secured to the board in position for pivotally mounting a latch member 90. The latch member 90 is an angularly bent flat piece having a pair of slightly inclined 'leg members 92 at the forward end which are constructed and arranged so as to permit relative movement of the legs with respect to a pair of openings 94 cut out of the fiat spring 80, as the latch is pivoted. The rearward end portion of this angularly bent latch member underlies the opening 24 adjacent the upper end of the incline 20 and on the nose of the figure, which opening is preferably circular and sufficiently large to permit passage therethrough of the spindle portion 96 (FIGURE 6) of the top 22.

The mechanism just described is illustrated in FIG- URES 3 and 4 in the latched position, with the flat spring 80 biased downwardly toward the base 28 of the game board. As the spinning top 22 enters the opening 20 and strikes the rearward end of the latch member 90, the legs 92 at the forward end of this member are swung forwardly out of engagement with the spring 80, and the latter moves sharply upwardly, with the openings 94 astride the leg portions 92 on the latch. This upward motion, transmitted through the button 86 propels the hat 18 upwardly with respect to the board. In the illustratedembodiment, the hat 18 is attached to the board by a string 98 so that it is within reach of the player after it has been knocked off. The hat can be readily replaced by pressing it down against the button 86, which causes the flat spring 80 to be urged downwardly and the latch member 90 to pivot upwardly (counterclockwise) and place the legs 92 in their latching position in frictional engagement with spring 80, as illustrated in FIGURES 3 and 4. More particularly, the button 86 is provided with a downwardly facing ledge or shoulder 87 in position for engagement with an car 89 stuck out of the end portion of latch 90. Consequently, as hat 18 is replaced and button 86 pushed down, the latch 90 is pivoted counterclockwise to reset legs 92 in restraining or latching position with respect to spring 80, as shown in FIGURE 4.

Thus, it is seen that there is provided a game of skill and amusement which can either be enjoyed by a single player or used by a plurality of players in a competitive manner. The means for spinning and propelling the top enters into the degree of skill required, particularly since various speeds of rotation can be achieved depending upon the length of time the button is held down, and skill is also involved in determining the most opportune moment for propelling the top from handle 12. Then too, various degrees of dexterity are required to maintain the top 22 in its spinning condition, while entering and leaving each of the obstacle areas 1 through 6. In this latter respect, it will be noted particularly in FIGURE 2 that the theme of the illustrative game involves a battle between a mosquito (top 22) trying to sting the man on his nose at 24 and the obstacles 1 through 6, which include a turtle, the mans foot, a tree monster, a spider, and a dragon, respectively. Each of the obstacles i cludes raised portions forming an opening facing the safety zone 14 and defining an area into which the top is to be moved and then safely withdrawn. It is contemplated that the player may direct his top toward the incline 20 and the goal 24 at any time, but his total score will depend upon the number of obstacles 1-6 he has successfully encountered prior to striking the target.

Although shown and described with respect to particular apparatus it will be apparent that modifications might be made without departing from the principles of this invention.

What is claimed is:

1. Game apparatus comprising a playing board having a handle portion along an edge thereof providing the sole means for supporting the board by a player, said board including a generally smooth surface portion and raised portions disposed in spaced relation about said board defining obstacles to the passage of a playing piece across the board, each of said obstacles including a partially enclosed, smooth surface which is generally coplanar with and accessible from said smooth center surface portion, a playing piece in the form of a spinning.

top including a spindle portion, means in said handle portion for receiving the spindle portion of said top and for causing said top to be rotated and ejected as desired, whereby said spinning top can be placed on said playing board and caused to move relative to said obstacles and into and out of said partially enclosed surface portions thereof by manipulation of the board, a goal device on said board in spaced relation to said handle portion and movable from a first position to a goal indicating position, spring means for biasing said goal device toward said goal indicating position, and a latch device for normally retaining said goal device in said first position, said latch device being responsive to engagement by said spinning top to release said goal device and cause said spring means to move said goal device generally vertically with respect to said board.

2. Game apparatus according to claim 1, including power means connected with said spindle receiving means for causing said top to be rotated and then selectively ejected as desired.

3. Game apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said playing board is generally concave, said obstacles are disposed in generally radially spaced relation on said board with respect to said handle portion, and said goal device is positioned adjacent the edge of said board opposite said handle.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 242,187 5/1881 Bryan 273- 1,364,632 1/ 1921 Harrington 273-110 1,365,944 1/1921 Nelson 273-108' 1,470,872 10/ 1923 Ovenshire 273-108 2,809,836 10/1957 Musser 273-127 X 2,991,083 7/1961 Hartung 273-127 X FOREIGN PATENTS 1,147,448 6/ 1957 France.

21,141 1906 Great Britain.

RICHARD C. PINKHAM, Primary Examiner.

5 F. BARRY SHAY, Examiner.

L. J. BOVASSO, T. ZACK, Assistant Examiners. 

1. GAME APPARATUS COMPRISING A PLAYING BOARD HAVING A HANDLE PORTION ALONG AN EDGE THEREOF PROVIDING THE SOLE MEANS FOR SUPPORTING THE BOARD BY A PLAYER, SAID BOARD INCLUDING A GENERALLY SMOOTH SURFACE PORTION AND RAISED PORTIONS DISPOSED IN SPACED RELATION ABOUT SAID BOARD DEFINING OBSTACLES TO THE PASSAGE OF A PLAYING PIECE ACROSS THE BOARD, EACH OF SAID OBSTACLES INCLUDING A PARTIALLY ENCLOSED, SMOOTH SURFACE WHICH IS GENERALLY COPLANAR WITH AND ACCESSIBLE FROM SAID SMOOTH CENTER SURFACE PORTION, A PLAYING PIECE IN THE FORM OF A SPINNING TOP INCLUDING A SPINDLE PORTION, MEANS IN SAID HANDLE PORTION FOR RECEIVING THE SPINDLE PORTION OF SAID TOP AND FOR CAUSING SAID TOP TO BE ROTATED AND EJECTED AS DESIRED, WHEREBY SAID SPINNING TOP CAN BE PLACED ON SAID PLAYING BOARD AND CAUSED TO MOVE RELATIVE TO SAID OBSTACLES AND INTO AND OUT OF SAID PARTIALLY ENCLOSED SURFACE PORTIONS THEREOF BY MANIPULATION OF THE BOARD, A GOAL DEVICE ON SAID BOARD IN SPACED RELATION TO SAID HANDLE PORTION AND MOVABLE FROM A FIRST POSITION TO A GOAL INDICATING POSITION, SPRING MEANS FOR BIASING SAID GOAL DEVICE TOWARD SAID GOAL INDICATING POSITION, AND A LATCH DEVICE FOR NORMALLY RETAINING SAID GOAL DEVICE IN SAID FIRST POSITION, SAID LATCH DEVICE BEING RESPONSIVE TO ENGAGEMENT BY SAID SPINNING TO TO RELEASE SAID GOAL DEVICE AND CAUSE SAID SPRING MEANS TO MOVE SAID GOAL DEVICE GENERALLY VERTICALY WITH RESPECT TO SAID BOARD. 